There's nothing wrong with it if you just leave it blank with the aprons. It would bug me visually cause the window doesn't make sense with the ceiling beams and the cabinets are crammed up against it. So I would do the big bucks if you got 'em and take it out. Replace it with a smaller, but slightly taller window centered between the two beams. If you have a view, replace with a really tall window. I would try to resist the temptation to fill it up with stuff. Maybe one of those iron cookware stands? Maybe a small table or chest. To me, the trash can and stools help your kitchen look junque-ie. On the other hand, I don't get what's going on beside the ref with the dimmer on the wall ?in a corner?

Hey thanks for the update. As for powerwwashing, I think I'll have someone else do that, unless there really is not much to it as long as your careful, then I'll go out and buy one. I agree though, it needs powerwashing. My quote was for one oil primer stain and one coat of stain. Is painting a house this size that difficult , especially the second floor or is it most just time consuming? Had a trusted contractor come over about siding, he suggesting staining if were are really going to move in 3 years, (we might be moving) otherwise side it with the cedar like siding in the front and regular siding on the sides and rear; cost $10-15K depending on material and options, but $15K tops. Look it, I'm a DIY kind of guy and believe in doing things the right way, Ive' installed patio doors, doors, done window trim, floor trim, painted too many rooms to count, cabinets installation and when it comes to landscaping, well I love it. Taking on staining a big house , well a little overwhelming thinking about it. buying equipment that can alway be used later in life doesn't bother me (or the wife, thank god). Just don't know if it's a job I can complete satisfactorily?

I'm just giving my 0.02 and it's worth what you paid. :) Is the fungus on the North side of the wall / house? If so then it never gets any sunlight or heat (perhaps) and so fungus will grow. Chlorine is a sure fire killer of fungus. Do you have any photos you can show? Below is a place to put a link. You can put photos on a photo hosting site then put a link where we can look at it. Your message says that it appears the effect of wetness has permiated the wall. So I would look at the window sill to see if it's plumb - exactly horizontal. If so then any damage inside the wall is not so severe as to cause a structural failure yet. I would next hammer on the area where the structural beams are located. The frame of the window , under the window. If it's a solid sound then again you probably don't have a severe problem. I'd ask myself if theres a coincidence that the inside water and outside fungus are there for different reasons. Maybe a shower on the inside and a North wall on the outside. Thus two causes for two indicatons of moisture. Unrelated thus no reason to think water got into the structure. There ya go. $0.10 worth. Good luck. Andre

my cabinet guy generally unless specified otherwise, makes his cabinets out of prefinished maple ply. basically everything is natural unless specified otherwise. i'm sure there would be an extra charge for somethign different. much like everything else in the custom world, there is no "standard". some cabinet makers have high standards, others lower ones. generally in a completely fair world, you paying for what you are getting. bargin custom cabinets either mean someone is desparate or something isn't apples to apples. my custom guy is my uncle, i trust he's going to do right by me and I've seen his work in a number of kitchens. we've discussed what he does "standard" for most of the questions I see on in this custom thread and others as well as his process for doing everything. However like a lot of tradespeople, documentation could be better.